Lasers and Stem Cells

Tel-Aviv, Israel -

The use of low level laser irradiation to promote healing has been documented clinically (Lagan et al. Low-intensity laser therapy/combined phototherapy in the management of chronic venous ulceration: a placebo-controlled study. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2002 Jun;20(3):109-16). Since some authors believe that low level laser irradiation possesses mitogenic effects for various cell types, an important question is whether low level laser irradiation may accelerate stem cell proliferation. If this indeed is the case, various protocols may be developed for enhancing stem cell activity through combined administration of low level laser irradation.

In a recent paper (Tuby et al. Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) promotes proliferation of mesenchymal and cardiac stem cells in culture. Lasers Surg Med. 2007 Apr 24;39(4):373-378) this exact question was asked.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac stem cells were cultured in vitro and exposed to low level laser irradiation at 1 and 3 J/cm(2). At the 2 and 4 week timepoints in culture an increased number of both mesenchymal and cardiac stem cells was observed.

Assessment of immunomodulatory and/or regenerative activity of these cells after irradiation is an interesting next step that should be performed.